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An impression technique for patients with fixed orthodontic

appliances
Victor E. de Souza Batista, DDS, MSc, PhD,a Aljomar J. Vechiato-Filho, DDS, MSc, PhD,b and
Fellippo R. Verri, DDS, MSc, PhDc

An irreversible hydrocolloid impression is difficult to PROCEDURE

obtain in patients with fixed orthodontic appliances
because the material is trapped by the bands, brackets,
and wires, all of which may dislodge the impression
material from the tray and even debond the orthodontic
brackets.1,2 Covering the orthodontic brackets and arch
wire completely or only on the gingival side with wax2,3
has been proposed, but the cast will reproduce the wax
used.
In the technique described, the orthodontic brackets
are covered with silicone putty, which may be removed
with the impression material or replaced in the impres-
sion if it is not removed, improving the detail in the cast.
1. Use an addition- or condensation-type silicone
putty (Optosil Comfort Putty; Kulzer GmbH) to
cover the retentive regions gingival to the ortho-
dontic bands, brackets, and wires (Fig. 1).
2. Make an irreversible hydrocolloid (Hydrogum 5;
Zhermack) impression according to the manufac-
turer’s instructions and standard practice, by using
the centrifugal mixer (Alghamix II; Zhermack).4
3. Remove the impression from the patient’s mouth.
Either the silicone putty impression material will be
removed with the irreversible hydrocolloid (Fig. 2A)

Figure 1. A, Patient with mandibular orthodontic appliance. B, Condensation-type silicone putty adapted to appliance.

a
Associate Professor, Department of Prosthodontics, Presidente Prudente Dental School, University of Western São Paulo-UNOESTE, Presidente Prudente, Brazil.
b
Assistant, Dental Oncology Service, Institute of Cancer of São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
c
Adjunct Professor, Department of Dental Materials and Prosthodontics, Araçatuba Dental School, São Paulo State University, Araçatuba, Brazil.

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Figure 2. Dental impressions. A, Silicone putty removed with irreversible hydrocolloid. B, Impression when silicone putty not removed. C, Silicone putty.
D, Silicone putty repositioned in irreversible hydrocolloid impression.

Figure 3. Cast. A, Right view. B, Frontal view. C, Left view.

or it will remain in the mouth. In that case, remove
the silicone putty and replace it in the dental
impression (Figs. 2B-D).
4. Box, pour (Durone IV; Dentsply Sirona), and eval-
uate the cast (Fig. 3).
REFERENCES
1. Drago CJ. Irreversible hydrocolloid impressions for full-banded orthodontic
patients. J Prosthet Dent 1985;54:372-3.
2. Lorton L. A method to facilitate impressions of orthodontically banded teeth.
J Prosthet Dent 1982;48:356.
3. Wriedt S, Foersch M, Muhle JD, Schmidtmann I, Wehrbein H. Multibracket
appliance: impression defaults and their reduction by blocking-out: a three-
dimensional study. Clin Oral Investig 2016;20:365-72.
4. McDaniel TF, Kramer RT, Im F, Snow D. Effects of mixing technique on bubble
formation in alginate impression material. Gen Dent 2013;6:35-9.
Corresponding author:
Dr Victor Eduardo de Souza Batista
Department of Dental Materials and Prosthodontics
São Paulo State University
José Bonifácio St, 1193
Araçatuba, São Paulo 16015-050
BRAZIL
Email: victor_edsb@hotmail.com
Copyright © 2018 by the Editorial Council for The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry.

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